Tiffin and I were somewhere between Mudlick Road and Turkey Run Road in Buckhannon, WV. These are some rutted out abandoned country roads that are primarily used by ATV’s now. I put some 29 x 1.8’s (46mm) tires on my cross bike, and decided to see how well it did. Everything was fine, other than the frame and fork clearances for mud…

The third annual J Cecil Jarvis Memorial Ride went off without a hitch. Thirteen or fourteen people attended, many of which this was the first time meeting them. We spent about fifteen minutes acquainting, and getting to know the names of each other. Michael Miller and County Roads Cyclists sponsored this ride with sag wagon, and bottles of water; quite an elaborate setup for such few riders.

The ride started out of Buckhannon on Main Street, where we were the pre-show entertainment for the people waiting to see the parade that started in a few hours. Being like lycra-clad circus clowns rolling out of town in front of all those people was novel, but a little embarrassing at the same time.

Six or seven miles in, we stopped at a Church parking lot, regrouped, and started to Glady Fork road, the first hill. This climb separated the pack, and we once again regrouped at our primary destination; the bridge at which J Cecil Jarvis’s accident occurred.

We all took time to pause and reminisce; for those of us that knew him, they discussed memories and stories about Cecil. From what I can gather, Cecil was looked up, and trusted by many; was a holy man, and could kick about anyone’s butt on a bike. It is a shame I never met him, but it makes me happy seeing that he has left such a positive influence on so many people.

Click for Larger Image

Once again, we headed along the route, and made a final regrouping. Some of the riders decided to take Rt33, while others decided to reach the starting/arriving point by a less traffic-heavy road.

When we arrived at the starting point, we were received by Michael Miller’s family; with a surprise post-ride dessert! His wonderful mother was kind enough to make strawberry shortcake (remember, this is Strawberry Festival weekend~). This treat was unexpected, and well appreciated. We all continued to catch up with friends we have not seen for a while, and just had a merry time.

Cecil Jarvis is well-remembered, and clearly will not be forgotten. What happened to him was a shame, but even in this single event, I have gathered that he has influenced oh so many lives for the better… Who knows what it would be like if he was still alive, and still beating us with our own legs.

In a totally behind the scenes trip to wvcycling’s Service Course in Buckhannon, West Virginia, we were shown around the site’s Appalachian base.

With wvcycling focusing on group rides in five different counties, the Service Course was described by the site as “standard”, yet we still discovered plenty of equipment and history when we were given a sneak-peek to the local Service Course of wvcycling. The well-established base also displays a modest contrast to the comparatively less PRO Service Course of Team Sky, that Cycling News posted an article about earlier this month.

When we arrived on Monday, wvcycling was busy swapping a nine-speed chain for Andrew Dasilva before going on a trail ride. Carbon fiber race wheels were nonexistent but clinchers were being prepared with UST tires, ready to be fitted.

With the Service Course being split into three areas over 600 sq. ft, it’s one of the biggest West Virginian Service Course in the sport, while also being home to wvcycling’s transportation and mechanic’s trucks. The huge space is dominated by residential storage space for the multitude of bikes for wvcycling’s site.

“It’s very central within West Virginia” Andrew Dasilva, the service course owner told us. “It’s close to the highway, the airport and is central in very cycling friendly areas.”

“We have about five bikes here now, and four pair of wheels,” said Dasilva. “We hold them here for when the site wants to review bikes. The riders just tell us what they need. What you’re seeing now is probably worth around six thousand Dollars. At full capacity we can probably store up to ten bikes and necessary equipment.”

Each rider has his own station where up to five bikes can be stored. At present Andrew Dasilva’s station is full, with all of his bikes in storage. The pit stops aren’t just for bikes though; the riders also have their own storage area in which all their personal effects are dished out before being taken to events or sent to the riders directly.

Riders are responsible for the transportation and organization of their riding garments and helmets; here Andrew Dasilva has his supply well covered:

Shoes, Gloves, Winter Gear, and Recovery Sandals~

The storage containers in the warehouse are dominated by riding products and food. Along with typical crates of drinks and bars the team also has its own cereal, chocolate spread, recovery drinks, and snack goods to last at least three days on the road.

WV Cycling is fortunate enough to have sponsorship from leading companies in the industry such as SRAM and Ritchey Components**. What would a service course be without spare parts?

The sponsors keep the site well stocked with spare tubes and other supplies!

These 'to go' boxes are filled with spare parts that mechanics may need when away from home base.

Of course, no Service Course would be complete without a workshop area, in which each bike is checked and serviced before it’s either shipped to a ride or stored.

Note, the spots on the concrete are not grease, but water. It was rainy when I set up this photo.

After receiving le Grand Tour of wvcycling’s Service Course, we were optimistic for the proliferation of cycling, and cycling friendly cities in the Appalachian regions of America.

Hi Everybody!
There will be a road ride on Saturday. The time is set for 3:10 P.M; meet at the chapel.

Sincerely,
bucktownbikerider

On the Saturday, I arrived at the chapel at 3:05; it is only 5 minutes from my house. Not a person was there, but this is not a surprise, since not many people show up right on time to a group ride anyways (that is a whole different story in itself). Actually, there was someone else with me, but I don’t think he counts for the purpose of a bike ride:

John Wesley wasn't wearing a helmet. 😦

I spent a good bit of time kittling up, embrocating, making sure my bike was ready to go, and even got there early to make sure I wasn’t the last one there. It was disappointing to see that no one else was showing up. Here I was, one cyclist looking like a space man while off the bike; sitting on the chapel steps alone.

Some more time had passed and I was becoming a bit antsy. I was ready to ride, and wanted to go. My rule is to wait ten minutes if I was not the one initiating the ride before rolling off and starting my own ride.

The time had passed and not even another bike was strolling around campus at all; the weather was fine, the wind wasn’t bad, and it isn’t like it is some kind of crazy weekend for residents or students. I really had no clue what was going on, but all fifty-some people who had received the email had jumped ship on this ride, even the captain; the one who sent out the initiating email.

What does one do in a time like this when no one shows; not even the event planner?

Me?

I just decided to make this ride even tougher than what I was expecting beforehand, and go out on the highway to roads I have not explored before. I was able to rake in some really good miles, and learn more about my local roads, and possibly found a few new camping spots.

I turned an awkward day into a beneficial day. Lemons into Lemonade, as some would say. I would also like to think that going on such a nice ride while no one else showing up gives me the leverage needed to bust their chops next time I see them. Oh, life is grand~

That is right. Cycling is a dreamworld. The sportive cyclists, the racers, the club riders, or even the tight-jean hipsters skidding all over for the hell of it are in a fantasy world. Even I am in a fantasy world. Being able to spend ten hours or more of your week on a bicycle worth more than many people’s cars is a world apart from everything else.

There is a broad difference between what we would consider a typical cyclist and the typical bike owner. From an outside realization, most people see bicycles as toys or things meant to rust out in the back yard. You can thank that all bicycles have been sold in the toy section of department and big-box stores for as long as I can remember. Bicycles have been relegated as something to look down upon. (This could spark a whole week worth of posts)

I decided to take a ride around town and see if I could find any examples of any serious or utilitarian bikes or cyclists; here is what I found.

Buckhannon is a college town. There would of course be bicycles. The ones here were all low budget department store bicycles left out in the elements all semester which make me wonder why they were brought to campus in the first place. There were no outstanding specimens or anything I could say anything special about in concerns of the usefulness of the bike. (more…)